Bangladesh v South Africa, 1st Test, Day 1 - The Tigers played with positive intent on day 1

The track might be placid and it might not aid the pace bowlers or spinners, but if a team bowls according to a plan and keep the basics right then, the outcomes are sure to be positive. On the first day, Bangladesh were  brilliant enough to bag all the ten wickets of South Africa and it was due to a positive intent and an appropriate planning.

Mushfiqur Rahim’s captaincy has been brilliant 

Mushfiq’s captaincy has never been as good as his batting. His defensive mindset has always earned him enough criticisms, but for the first time, I was impressed with his captaincy. He came out of his defensive shell and maneuvered his fielders and bowlers well to give the impression that he is looking for wickets rather than containment. In the 18th over, when he engaged Mohammad Shahid to bowl, he had a packed offside field with a wide or flying slip – this is positive captaincy. Even though Shahid’s pace won’t allow a flying-catch, but that vacant area in between the traditional slip and wide slip was set as a trap to entice the batsmen to do something silly by going for the drive.

Mushfiq, had his slip fielders a bit closer against pace bowlers than the previous occasions and  that fielder in the area between cover and extra-cover while Hashim Amla was batting pressurized him and forced him to poke Mustafiz. Then, his smartness in utilizing Jubair deserves praise – allowing Jubair to bowl round the wicket to use the rough was part of a smart captaincy.

Moreover, Mushfiq’s engagement of Shakib immediately after the fall of Dean Elgar was a part of thinking captaincy. And yes, Shakib removed Faf du Plessis as soon as he was brought into the bowling.

Yes, at times, there were touches of Dunga-like-pragmatism in Mushfiq, but such things were not enough.

Those tidy overs after lunch helped Bangladesh to come back into the game

Two top-order batsmen were at the crease and on such a flat deck they looked relaxed enough. How can a captain fetch wickets in such a situation? The first ploy is to suffocate the opposition batters and create pressure and the second option is to engage your best bowler in the business. Bangladesh applied the first option.

In the post-lunch session, Mohammad Shahid was engaged with Jubair Hossain. Both the bowlers bowled ten overs and those ten overs changed the scenario of day one. Mohammad Shahid continued to bowl maiden overs by pitching the ball consistently on the back-of-a-length and good length along the line of offstump. Whereas, Jubair – struggled with his flight earlier, but later adjusted it well -  bowled with intent and both of them created pressure which made run scoring tough for the Proteas batters.

Mustafizur Rahman replaced Shahid and never let the pressure to ebb away. The South African batters were more suffocated by the Mustafiz-Jubair pair and Mustafiz-Taijul pair after a while, and this suffocation led to the fall of two quick wickets.  Bangladesh were able to get back into the game because of those tidy overs bowled by Shahid, Mustafiz, Taijul and Jubair.

Mustafizur Rahman’s inspiring spell and Jubair’s inclusion in the squad 

What a spell of pace bowling it was from Mustafizur Rahman. From the word go, Mustafiz was looking impressive with his line and length and his discipline outside the off, especially, bowling with the intention of hitting the top of off had paid dividends. His variation of length and pace are his weapons and if he can learn to bring the ball back into the right-hander, he will be a bowler to watch in the days to come.

Meanwhile, Jubair Hossain has justified his selection  in the team. I just think that, he needs to increase his pace a bit and work a bit more on his flight, Googly and flippers. His orthodox legspinners have enough guile and from round the wicket he is lethal.            

Rubel Hossain would have been handy today

I would have loved to see Rubel Hossain in the team today. His recent form has been good and his raw pace would have given the Tigers a fantastic attacking option. It’s not ideal to say that Rubel’s Test record is bad, he can’t bowl long spells and leaks a lot of runs. Well, I am asking you, which Bangladeshi bowler, other than Shakib, has a very good bowling record in Test?

If Rubel can’t bowl in longer-spells, then he should be used a stock bowler in shorter-spells. It’s hard to accept the absence of a pace bowler who is in an absolute purple patch. I am not sure about the reason of his exclusion, but if he is interested to play Test cricket or not remains a moot question.

Temba Bavuma played a fighting knock

While the senior batsmen of the team succumbed to pressure, Temba Bavuma played a mature knock. The young man seemed mentally strong enough and has the ability to absorb pressure. Moreover, he can play strokes all around the ground. He seems a very good prospect for the future.

Now, it’s up to the Bangladeshi batsmen to support the good work of their bowlers on day 2. It won’t be easier against Steyn, Morkel and Philander. Bangladesh need to be patient and occupy the crease more and more on day 2. The first session will be crucial tomorrow.

Thank You
Faisal Caesar